Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Cleanse Begins...

Today we received our shipment for a 90 day cleanse!  Yikes!  I am so lucky that my friend Christy is going to do this with me.  I don't know if I am strong enough to do it on my own.  Anyhow, I will keep you all posted as to what is going on through this process.  This cleanse came highly recommended as Christy did it once before and lost some serious weight but also just felt better - more energized, etc.  So here we go!  I am very nervous about this because I have never done anything quite like it.  It is supposed to be more of a gentle cleanse and that is why it is recommended that you stick with it for 90 days.  November 15th can't get here fast enough!  Fair warning though - I have to give up caffeine and sweets - which means I am probably going to be grouchy for the next week or so.  My apologies in advance!

Because we are starting this cleanse tomorrow, today has been like the last supper around here.  I have had at least 4 cups of coffee and for lunch I had hot dogs with tater tots dipped in ranch dressing!  One of the girls got some chips, salsa, guacamole and nacho cheese dip for a snack too.  On top of all of that, for dinner I am making an amazing homemade mac and cheese recipe - with bacon!  Yum yum!  I really know how to be a fattie, right!

On another note, my mom just moved to Kentucky, so we are planning for her to visit on the second weekend of September to go dress shopping.  I feel like the dress is going to be way more difficult for me than the shoes are because I have no idea what I want.  I know this is probably going to sound like the strangest most shocking thing ever - but I don't typically like wedding dresses.  Maybe I have just seen so many that they all look the same.  Maybe I am hung up on not wanting to spend a ton of money on the dress - but not wanting one that looks "cheap" either.  I don't know what my problem is, but what I do know is that I am going to need an awesome sales person - because I need some serious help in this department.

To update everyone on the shoes, I have purchased two pairs.  I am not quite ready to share them with you - I kind of feel like there is all this build up and it deserves a real surprise!  Plus they are both so different.  One is very much a classic shoe, a little bling, and YES close toe!  The other is more fun and playful and open toe.  I think the one I keep will really be determined by what I decide to do for my dress.  Decisions, decisions!

Til next week!

Cheers!
Dani

8/18 - The mac and cheese turned out to be FANTASTIC!  I took a picture to share with all of you.  I think I gained 2 pounds yesterday...

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Louis Vuitton Nightmares!

So I have to share with you all - I had the CRAZIEST dream last night!  I can't remember exactly what I was doing - it was like I was at work but standing in line for something at the US Open of Surfing.  Anyhow, one of my girlfriends is standing in line with me, and she tells me that I lost my earring. So I naturally touched my earlobes with my fingers to feel it and said - "No, they are there."  Well, my left ear did feel kind of funny, so I looked in a mirror and my entire earring had been swallowed by my ear.  I could feel it in there!  It was like the skin was over it and the earring was stuck inside of the piercing hole.  To make matters worse - THESE were the earrings that I was wearing!  Can you say, "Ouch"?  As I started to hyperventilate and my entire ear began to throb - the only thing that I could think about was that I was going to have to have surgery to get this earring out.  But then, if that happens will I have a scar?  Will I have to get my ear re-pierced?  Will I be able to re-pierce it?  Oh my goodness - WILL I BE ABLE TO WEAR EARRINGS AT MY WEDDING???? 


Now this one I completely blame our bride this weekend for.  Yesterday, we found out that at her bachelorette party this last weekend, she got drunk and fractured her foot.  First off - this is only an example of why it is always a bad idea to have bachelor or bachelorette parties right before the big day.  I have seen black eyes, crazy bruises, missing teeth, groomsmen in jail, and now this.  No, it's not the end of the world and life will go on - but how sad.  Just think how sad I would be if I couldn't wear my amazing wedding shoes! 

Thankfully it was just a dream - but it felt very real.  Has this happened to anyone else?  What was your fear?

Til next time!

Dani

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Frisco Shoe Trip!

On my journey to finding the perfect shoe, I have had a lot of fun!  This last weekend I visited three cities to change it up a bit and see what is out there - outside of my little Orange County bubble. 

The first stop was Walnut Creek!  This stop was two-fold.  One I heard the shopping there is fabulous and two I got to catch up with my SK Big Sis Julia!  I found these Jimmy Choo's at an adorable boutique shop called Foot Candy.  The sales woman there was AMAZING.  She is the only one who seems to get my shoe obsession!  Overall I like these - but they are not supportive at all.  It actually kinda feels like they might fall off my feet and I could twist my ankle at any moment.  It is interesting for me to feel that way because I've always been very comfortable in heels - even from an early age.

That evening we found ourselves in Napa!  Here's a picture of the wine tasting crew!  From left to right is Will (my cousin's boyfriend), Abby (my cousin), Me, Norma (my step-mom) and Bobby (Norma's nephew).  We couldn't resist the fabulous wines at ZD!

For my fellow Wine-O's: some other great wine finds from the weekend were Chapellet (LOVE love LOVE everything they make), Beaulieu Vineyards had their Reserve Maestro Collection Cabernet #1 and #2 on sale from $65 to $25 per bottle at the winery, and lastly Canard Cabernet Sauvignon!  The Canard Cab was a 2007 and we found it at the Bounty Hunter.  If you ever visit Napa - the Bounty Hunter is a staple in every trip.  They have an amazing Beer Can Chicken Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich and some great prices and selections for wine.

On our way back we decided to stop in to San Francisco to shop at Union Square!  This was so exciting for me because I had never been to San Francisco before.  This is a picture of my first time going through the bridge into the city!

After we got in the city and finally found a parking lot - we walked by the Francis Drake Hotel.  Sir Francis Drake was so friendly and was out hailing cabs for guests - I couldn't resist a photo opportunity!


First store we visited was Saks 5th Avenue.  They have a whole level that is entirely devoted to designer women's shoes.  This was my FAVORITE selection - truly incredible!  Norma took a picture of me just walking around completely in awe and surrounded by shoes!  I was really surprised to see so many styles that I had never seen before - truly the best selection in the city.
Jimmy, Manolo and Louboutin - Oh My!


I've never seen this Louboutin before!  Very classic elegance for sure!
It's hard to see but there is a small crystal detail on the side.  Very classy!

Love these Manolos!  So comfortable!

Louboutins covered in Glitter!  :)


Sexy Valentinos!

We had lunch at the Rotunda restaurant in Neiman Marcus!  It was truly an incredible experience!
To give you all a bit of history about my shoe obsession - I completely blame my dad.  He loves women's shoes - weird right?  I have looked at a couple places and shown him some pictures of some shoes and he keeps telling me that he doesn't like what I have found.  He says that they aren't "wedding shoes".  So when we got back from the trip we met for dinner at the Sagebrush Cantina (my first job).  I was so proud of our finds - showing him these pictures that we had taken and talking about our trip.  He proceeded to tell me that none of the shoes are "wedding shoes" so (completely frustrated) I finally asked him "OK.  Then what IS a wedding shoe?"  He told me that a wedding shoe is a close toe shoe.  Seriously?  I don't know where he comes up with this stuff sometimes!  So here is my question to all of you - a close toe shoe or an open toe shoe?

Cheers!
Dani